'Absolutely worth it': Former NFL star Colin Kaepernick reflects on taking a knee
Kaepernick has launched an AI-fueled pilot program for students in Maryland.
'Absolutely worth it': Former NFL star Colin Kaepernick reflects on taking a knee
Former NFL star Colin Kaepernick -- who led the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2013 -- told ABC News that taking a knee in protest of police brutality was “absolutely worth it.”
“Thinking about whether or not it’s worth it: if even one life was saved, one life was advanced, it'll be worth it every day of the week,” Kaepernick said, describing his commitment to social justice.
The former NFL quarterback added, “I think that's incredibly important as we think about our future. We have to be able to do whatever it takes to make sure that we're advancing our communities, advancing our students, and making sure that we are setting each other up for success in the future.”
Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images - PHOTO:Eli Harold #58, Colin Kaepernick #7 and Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers kneel in protest on the sideline, during the anthem, prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field, Oct. 16, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Kaepernick, 38, is now using his platform to support future community leaders through the launch of an artificial intelligence-fueled pilot program for youth in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
The partnership between Lumi, Kaepernick’s tool that brings reading and writing to life through AI, and Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) is helping students interested in storytelling engage with AI characters.
County Executive Aisha Braveboy applauded Kaepernick’s efforts on the field, in the community, and in schools.
“He [Kaepernick] stood by what was right on that field, and now he’s standing by what’s right in this community, and that’s ensuring every child has the ability to learn,” she said.
Kaepernick's life embodies courage, conviction, and creativity, according to PGCPS Interim Superintendent Shawn Joseph. Joseph also said Kaepernick's journey is pushing the country to imagine a world rooted in justice. The former 49ers star sparked a social change movement when he sat for and eventually kneeled during the playing of the national anthem over the course of the 2016 NFL season.
After an August 2016 pre-season game, Kaepernick told reporters he protested in order to "bring awareness" to injustice in America, “unify the country,” and effect change in the world.
Bloomberg via Getty Images - PHOTO: Colin Kaepernick, former NFL quarterback and founder and chief executive officer of Lumi, during TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco, Oct. 30, 2024.
U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey, whose congressional district encompasses Prince George’s County, thanked Kaepernick for his activism.
“When you started taking the knee in protest at NFL football games, the NFL didn’t know what to do,” Ivey explained at Largo High School in P.G. County, where the event was held, adding, “The ripple effects of that are still going. You empowered athletes, not just in the NFL but across the board, to use their voices and their power in their communities.”
Kaepernick, who was selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft and played for San Francisco all six of his NFL seasons, has not played in nearly a decade. However, the dual-threat quarterback said that he’s not finished, even though no teams have contacted him this season.
Today, Kaepernick stressed he is still eager to suit up again.
“We still train every morning, up early before we start getting to business and get up and running,” Kaepernick said.
“We always gonna be ready.”




